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Couple hope D-Day boat bought on eBay will sail again

Mairead Smyth,North Westand
Lauren Hirst,North West
BBC Simon and Gemma Robins have their arms around each other and are standing in front of the boat on the banks of the River Dee. BBC
Simon and Gemma Robins saved the boat from the scrap heap in 2021

A couple who bought a World War Two D-Day boat on eBay are trying to restore it in time to sail it back to Normandy for the 85th anniversary of the landings.

Simon and Gemma Robins saved the vessel from the scrap heap when they bought it in 2021.

"We never planned on buying a World War Two boat, especially one that was so rotten and so big," Gemma said.

"But my husband likes a challenge and I fell in love with the history of it."

The boat now sits on the banks of the River Dee in Heswall, Wirral.

Known as Motor Launch 1392 during the war, it was one of 464 navigational launches built for the war effort.

During the D-Day landings in 1944, its role was to guide British troops towards Gold Beach in Normandy.

"There's not many of these boats left and if people don't step up to save our history, things are going to get lost and forgotten," said Gemma, who is from Huyton.

Shan Merritt A white boat is anchored along a pier in July 1945 in this back and white image. A number of people are standing on the pier and appear to be talking. Shan Merritt
The boat was known as Motor Launch 1392 during the war

During the restoration, the couple discovered the wartime diary of crew member Frank "Curly" Capstick, who was just 17 when he served aboard the vessel.

With permission from his family, Gemma published the diary, which records the boat's day-to-day movements and offers a rare first-hand account of life at sea during World War Two.

"We know exactly where this boat was and what was happening every day during 1944," she said.

The couple, who work full-time restoring the vessel, hope one day to see it sail again along the same route taken by its wartime crew.

Now known as Sarinda, a name given by a former owner, the boat has been made watertight and can generate its own electricity.

"We would love to be able to take Sarinda back to Normandy and follow the route they took in 1944, hopefully alongside her sister ship, Medusa," Gemma said.

The couple have been documenting the restoration on their YouTube channel, Ship Happens, which has attracted support and advice from around the world.

"It's hard work, but we love it," Gemma said.

"Most people ask whether we're going to sell her when she's finished, but she's part of our family now.

"We've got no desire to ever part with her."

The white boat sits on the banks of the River Dee in Heswall, Wirral.
The couple said they are passionate about saving this piece of maritime history

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